ABU DHABI // The visit of the US navy dock landing ship USS Rushmore to the new Port Khalifa yesterday was a historic moment, the American ambassador Michael Corbin said.
"I look forward to having US ships visiting the Khalifa Port on a regular basis. The use of this unique state-of-the-art facility for our naval vessels is yet another symbol of the strong strategic bilateral relationship that the United States shares with the United Arab Emirates," Mr Corbin said.
The USS Rushmore is based in Bahrain with the US Fifth Fleet. The ship was commissioned in 1991 and its first deployment was in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, the largest military humanitarian operation in history, said the captain, Cmdr Tate Robinson.
His ship spearheaded the beach landing and delivered military hardware, food and medical relief.
"The ship's current deployment is in the Gulf and last month we conducted excercises with UAE forces where helicopter landing training took place onboard our flight deck," Cmdr Robinson said.
He said Port Khalifa was valuable because of its deep-water access and its facilities. "It is an easy port to pull in to and it has all the services that we need. We are currently conducting routine maintenance so its very strategic to us."
Mr Corbin said US ships would continue to use Mina Zayed and Jebel Ali Port but Port Khalifa added another dimension and facility for the America's strategic operations in the area.
"This port is strategic because it is going to be linked to the Emirates Rail system as well as its proximity to both the Abu Dhabi International Airport and the Maktoum Airport in Dubai.
"This location is a definite asset to the Fifth Fleet command because, apart from securing the Strait of Hormuz and keeping it open, our fleet conducts anti-piracy operations in the area," he said.
The USS Rushmore has a complement of 45 officers and petty officers, 302 sailors and 400 Marines.
amustafa@thenational.ae
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
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Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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The specs: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Price, base / as tested: Dh101,140 / Dh113,800
Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 148hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed CVT
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
